Dr. Dre, Kendrick Lamar, will.i.am join groundbreaking for $270M Centennial High School replacement project

California Construction News staff writer

Compton Unified School District broke ground on a $270-million replacement of Centennial High School last week, marking a major milestone in the district’s long-term facilities modernization plan.

The historic ceremony drew more than 300 community members and nearly 900 students to the Centennial High School football field, alongside district leadership, local dignitaries, project partners and high-profile guests including Andre “Dr. Dre” Young, Kendrick Lamar, and will.i.am.

Described as “a transformative investment in educational equity and student success”, the redevelopment represents “an architectural and educational renaissance” for the city, according to Superintendent Dr. Darin Brawley who called the new campus a “bold reaffirmation” of the district’s mission to accelerate student achievement and close opportunity gaps.

The new Centennial High School will be built on the existing 32-acre site and replace the original campus, which opened in 1954. The 220,000-square-foot facility is designed by DLR Group and is expected to accommodate more than 1,800 students and 135 staff when it opens in August 2029.

Plans for the reimagined campus include a 42,000-square-foot performing arts center, collegiate-level athletics facilities, a new CIF competition pool, and flexible classroom environments designed to support modern instructional models. Career technical education spaces will be integrated throughout the campus to support workforce development pathways.

District officials also highlighted sustainability features, including daylight optimization, solar energy systems, water-efficient infrastructure and native landscaping as part of the design strategy.

Speakers underscored the project’s community-driven approach, noting that the design process was shaped through engagement with students, families and local stakeholders. Student speakers added their own perspectives, sharing expectations for how the new campus will expand opportunities for future generations.

The project follows the district’s recent completion of the new Compton High School campus in 2025 and forms part of a broader facilities master plan aimed at modernizing school infrastructure across the district.